Seneca is the complete package. He’s smart, sexy, and confident, much to Chevy’s annoyance. They’ve worked with each other for two years, and even though Chevy might secretly find his partner charming and attractive, playful harassment is all they have. Chevy was born with a unique gift that allows him to go into the memories of others. As detective, he uses this ability to find peace for victims … for victims who have been hurt or attacked. He delves into their memories and can pick out minute details that will help them put the criminal behind bars.
But neither Chevy nor Seneca are prepared when they are asked to go into the mind of a serial killer in hopes of finding survivors. They are even more unprepared for the monsters they find inside the man’s mind. Drawn into a memory where it’s hard to figure out where the truth exists, they realize that there may be more to the serial killer than they originally thought. The dark world draws the two men together in a way they never dreamed.
It will take everything Chevy and Seneca can give to stop the darkness that could consume their minds. As the two are forced to face what is keeping them apart, together they realize that there’s more to the mind and heart than either of them know.
Within the Mind is a 90k word romantic suspense with lots of snark, an ominous gramophone, and finger cuddling, because we all know spooning isn’t as great as it sounds.
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Within the Mind is the first book in the In The Mind series, a scifi-light modern police series. I thought this book was very unique with an interesting setup. Some humans are born with psychic “gifts” which can be used for good or evil. Chevy and Seneca will have to use their gifts and use their police skills to thwart the darkness that’s been invading their minds. The relationship between Chevy and Seneca was interesting with a lot of sass and romance. I really fell in love with both men and enjoyed watching their relationship develop throughout the book. The audiobook was narrated by Joel Leslie who does a great job with it. This was a fun book with an interesting plot and fascinating characters.
Within the Mind is the first I’ve read by this author. I started reading it in the evening and quickly decided that I should wait till morning to delve any deeper into the mind game the author was playing on me. But I could not ignore it until the next day. I found myself up well past my bedtime, glued to the screen of my kindle, jumping at every little noise. Oh, Alice Winters, you are an evil lady. There were quite a few times that I flipped back through some of the pages to see if what I was reading was a reality in their world or a product of a twisted mind (from both the bad guy and the author lol).
The beginning of the book has no lengthy explanations of what this world is all about. There are just a gentle push and some well-placed statements that eased me into this new experience.
The book has some serious creep factors in it. The mindf&%k is, at times, intense. What is real? How can I tell if it really is real? Oh God, if it’s real then how will the characters get out of it? And that was just my part in it. The things that Chevy and Seneca experience, or think they experience (who the h*ll can tell the difference anymore?), left them in a perpetual state of anxiety and fear. I hate that I can’t explain any better how completely screwed up this book made me. I freaking LOVED IT!! The suspense is delicious! There are very few books that have engendered this level of WTF in me. King, Koontz, Blatty. And only a large handful of them.
The dips into the mind of the serial killer read like you are watching a movie. So much detail and tension. So many dips and sways in the terror levels. So. Very. Good!
There is a relationship forming between Chevy and Seneca during all of this. There are no fireworks or sappy sweet dialogue. There is snark, sexy times, and an almost matter of fact coming together of the two. The passion is real, and though understated, it works for these two men.
I highly recommend this book.
I will be reading more from this author.
Holy cow!! What a trip!!! I normally finish a book in about a day. This one took a lot longer because I had to force myself to go slower so I wouldn’t miss anything. The thing I love about Alice’s books is that they have the potential to be very dark but she’s a master at weaving comic relief throughout so the story doesn’t feel so heavy.
This book reminded me a lot of the movie The Cell with JLo, Vince Vaughn and Vincent D’Nofrio, which I happened to really enjoy. I love Seneca and Chevy relationship. Seneca is seemingly carefree and Chevy is more stoic and reserved but they complement each other amazingly!!
I sincerely hope that Alice will be writing more books with these guys!!!!
I was lucky to read the Arc of this AWESOME THRILLING book and let me tell you… Alice Winters wrote one more master piece…
Seneca and Chevy interaction are so fun and they manage to keep themselves grounded from all the madness happening around them… they also make you smile and laugh even when you’re holding your breath during a tense moment…
Chevy has a gift – he can enter into people minds and see their memories… Seneca is his partner… he also has a gift and together they work with the police to help victims find justice… But everything changes when instead of a victim, they’re called to enter the mind of a serial killer… When the truth you know can be manipulated and become something out of a horror movie… how will you know reality from nightmare?
Chevy and Seneca are thrown into the unknown… all they can rely as truth are each other… but it’ll be enough to uncover the truth before more people die?
A MUST READ
This book is twist on the “psychic helping the cops solve crimes” plot, and it works wonderfully. Chevy and Seneca are partners, both detectives, with unique psychic gifts that allow them to travel into the minds of criminals, and the journey is terrifying. What I loved about this book was the balance of ridiculous humor and banter between the two MCs with the chilling adventures they endure when they enter the mind of a serial killer.
This book is definitely one that kept me engaged once the main storyline kicked in. The characters are developed throughout the book, and the writing is smoothly done.
Some people in this world are born with “gifts.” Recently, these gifts have begun to be recognized by the courts. Chevy tested with a very strong level at the first round of testing at the age of five. He is able to touch a person, find a specific memory, and watch it unfold. Secretly, they have been using him since he was a child. But, now he is a detective, and they have assigned him a partner.
Seneca’s gift is borrowing other people’s gifts. The last gifted person he has touched, he gains the use of their gift. In this way, he is able to go into people’s minds with Chevy and be a witness to what is seen. Seneca is cocky and a huge flirt, and he has his sights set on Chevy. Unfortunately for him, Chevy resists him with everything he has, because he doesn’t do one night stands.
Normally the MCs work with victims to solve crimes. However, they have been asked to do something entirely different with their talents. There is a serial killer in custody, but the officials believe there may be more victims they have not found that may yet be alive. When Chevy and Seneca enter his mind, they learn that they are facing a gifted man who might possibly kill them within his own mind.
The story twists and turns, and danger and suspense are around every thought. But Chevy begins to understand the way the man’s mind and gift work, and he is able to start using this knowledge to his advantage.
During this investigation, it is necessary for Chevy to enter Seneca’s mind. He finally learns why Seneca is afraid of relationships, and proves that the events from his past were not his fault alone. Once Seneca accepts this, he tells Chevy that he wants a relationship with him. This caused Chevy’s final walls to crumble, and they begin to change the dynamics of their friendship.
Overall, although Seneca’s flirtatious attitude got on my nerves a bit, the banter between the MCs is quite entertaining. The suspense level was just right, and some might even call this a thriller. I enjoyed it very much, and it was definitely worth the read.
Happy reading!
Excellent story! It’s is totally mind blowing – I loved it! It’s unique, twisty and totally unpredictable, with an excellent plot! I loved Seneca – he was so self-assured, cocky even, but in a good way. He and Chevy made a great team – Chevy can delve into past memories of people – which is helpful in trying to retrace crimes. Seneca can mimic Chevy’s ‘gift’ and assists him by being a separate observer ‘within the mind’ (the title is so apt!).
Chevy is quite attracted to Seneca, but doesn’t want to be another notch on the latter’s bedpost. Seneca, on the other hand, is quite determined to get Chevy. What makes this story so unique is the murder/mystery involving Page, the way he manipulates his victims and the twists to that arc of the story. And then there’s the relationship between Seneca and Chevy – the banter, snark and the smooth way they end up together is very well done! The characters are memorable, esp. Chevy’s mum. I hope there will be more of Chevy and Seneca in the future